Delaware Supreme Court justice Henry duPont Ridgely joins DLA Piper.

Justice Henry duPont Ridgely, who retired on January 31, 2015 from the Delaware Supreme Court, joins DLA Piper effective March 16, 2015. He is a member of the firm's Corporate and Litigation practices, based in the Wilmington, Delaware office.

Justice Ridgely has a distinguished record of more than 30 years of service on the Delaware bench. Before his tenure of more than a decade on the Delaware Supreme Court, Justice Ridgely was a judge on Delaware's Superior Court for 20 years, including 14 years as President Judge with a full caseload and statewide responsibility for the court's budget and personnel. During that period, the Delaware courts earned a number one ranking from the United States Chamber of Commerce, which Delaware has maintained for more than ten years.

While on the Delaware Supreme Court, Justice Ridgely participated in more than 700 published opinions, including every major decision issued during his tenure involving directors' and officers' liability, merger and acquisition disputes, contests for corporate control, and other issues impacting corporate law and governance.

Justice Ridgely's knowledge and experience are a tremendous asset for DLA Piper's corporate clients and lawyers. With 66 percent of the Fortune 500 and half of all public companies incorporated in Delaware, he has played a significant role in shaping the country's corporate law.

At DLA Piper, Justice Ridgely's practice focuses on advising corporations, boards, special committees and individual directors and off cers on transaction structure, fiduciary duties, and managing and defending litigation. He is also available to act as a mediator and arbitrator.

Justice Ridgely has received numerous honors and awards and, in 2015, was presented with the Order of the First State, which is the highest recognition awarded by the Governor of Delaware. He is a Member of the American Law Institute and...